Michael Waldron
@michaelwaldron.bsky.social
PhD, curator, art historian, writer
Not the MCU guy
Curious about collections
He/him 🏳️🌈🇪🇺🇮🇪
Not the MCU guy
Curious about collections
He/him 🏳️🌈🇪🇺🇮🇪
Pinned
Pinching myself to be a very small part of The Routledge Companion to Irish Art, a remarkable new volume that will enrich the field of Irish art history for years to come. Deepest thanks to the brilliant, patient, and supportive editors, Fionna Barber and Fintan Cullen. Maith sibh!
‘The Baltinglass hillfort cluster was described as one of the most complex and exceptional prehistoric landscapes, featuring a “necklace” of up to 13 hilltop forts as well as other enclosures spanning the early Neolithic period to the late Bronze Age...’
www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41...
www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41...
Oldest prehistoric settlement in Ireland and Britain discovered in Co Wicklow
New research suggests a Wicklow hillfort complex functioned as Ireland’s earliest proto-town, revealing unprecedented prehistoric scale and organisation
www.irishexaminer.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:07 PM
‘The Baltinglass hillfort cluster was described as one of the most complex and exceptional prehistoric landscapes, featuring a “necklace” of up to 13 hilltop forts as well as other enclosures spanning the early Neolithic period to the late Bronze Age...’
www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41...
www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41...
This day 12 years ago I was in the midst of installing my first exhibition as a curator. What a journey it’s been since then, now preparing for the future of @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social ✨
January 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
This day 12 years ago I was in the midst of installing my first exhibition as a curator. What a journey it’s been since then, now preparing for the future of @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social ✨
Ronnie Walsh reporting #onthisday in 1963 on the demolition of the old @corkoperahouse.bsky.social.
www.rte.ie/archives/201... #speirgorm
www.rte.ie/archives/201... #speirgorm
Cork Opera House Demolished
As the old Cork Opera House is bulldozed, hopes are high for the new theatre to be built.
www.rte.ie
January 7, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Ronnie Walsh reporting #onthisday in 1963 on the demolition of the old @corkoperahouse.bsky.social.
www.rte.ie/archives/201... #speirgorm
www.rte.ie/archives/201... #speirgorm
Reposted by Michael Waldron
In honour of the new Harry Clarke Exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland, here's the story behind one of those pieces. With @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social #harryclarke
Harry Clarke, Brendan, Judas – and Matthew Arnold
St Brendan was a favourite subject for Harry Clarke. Four of his windows depict the saint: a prizewinning student piece from 1911; his Honan Chapel commission of 1916; the Ballinrobe windows from 1…
roaringwaterjournal.com
December 5, 2024 at 7:08 PM
In honour of the new Harry Clarke Exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland, here's the story behind one of those pieces. With @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social #harryclarke
#HarryClarke died #onthisday in 1931.
For the day that’s in it, here’s a piece I wrote for @rte.ie last year to mark the historic loan of three stained-glass panels from @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social to @nmireland.bsky.social. The exhibition is free to visit!
www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
For the day that’s in it, here’s a piece I wrote for @rte.ie last year to mark the historic loan of three stained-glass panels from @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social to @nmireland.bsky.social. The exhibition is free to visit!
www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
Harry Clarke's Stained Glass - a master's work revisited
Curator and historian Michael Waldron celebrates the work of stained glass artist Harry Clarke, the subject of a new exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland.
www.rte.ie
January 6, 2026 at 8:17 PM
#HarryClarke died #onthisday in 1931.
For the day that’s in it, here’s a piece I wrote for @rte.ie last year to mark the historic loan of three stained-glass panels from @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social to @nmireland.bsky.social. The exhibition is free to visit!
www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
For the day that’s in it, here’s a piece I wrote for @rte.ie last year to mark the historic loan of three stained-glass panels from @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social to @nmireland.bsky.social. The exhibition is free to visit!
www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
A bit of celestial magic from #HarryClarke on the 95th anniversary of his death in Chur, Switzerland ✨
‘‘How is your trade, Aquarius, / This frosty night?’
Today is the anniversary of #HarryClarke, born in 1889. In this work from 1920, Clarke depicts the astrological sign Aquarius, inspired by Robert Grave’s poem ‘Star-Talk’. Clarke died aged 41 from tuberculosis.
#CrawfordArtGallery #OnThisDay
Today is the anniversary of #HarryClarke, born in 1889. In this work from 1920, Clarke depicts the astrological sign Aquarius, inspired by Robert Grave’s poem ‘Star-Talk’. Clarke died aged 41 from tuberculosis.
#CrawfordArtGallery #OnThisDay
January 6, 2026 at 6:38 PM
A bit of celestial magic from #HarryClarke on the 95th anniversary of his death in Chur, Switzerland ✨
Reposted by Michael Waldron
"By year end, just 21 bills have been enacted. This stands in sharp contrast to 2015 when 66 bills were enacted. A staggering fall in productivity from our government ministers."
TD Pádraig Rice writes that the government got off to a slow start.
jrnl.ie/6915053
TD Pádraig Rice writes that the government got off to a slow start.
jrnl.ie/6915053
Opinion: We have a go-slow government and a dysfunctional Dáil
Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice argues that the low number of bills enacted in 2025 is a sign of a poor government.
jrnl.ie
January 6, 2026 at 7:00 AM
"By year end, just 21 bills have been enacted. This stands in sharp contrast to 2015 when 66 bills were enacted. A staggering fall in productivity from our government ministers."
TD Pádraig Rice writes that the government got off to a slow start.
jrnl.ie/6915053
TD Pádraig Rice writes that the government got off to a slow start.
jrnl.ie/6915053
He died far too young, at 58, and so I never got to meet him. But his brilliant reputation and character, as well as his penchant for Hush Puppies and Cheroots, often follow quickly on his name 🤍
January 5, 2026 at 10:33 PM
He died far too young, at 58, and so I never got to meet him. But his brilliant reputation and character, as well as his penchant for Hush Puppies and Cheroots, often follow quickly on his name 🤍
My grandad, Dr John A. “Gus” Ryan, was born #onthisday in 1916.
This is his graduation photo, @ucc.ie Class of 1940. He went on to be Director of the Cork Blood Bank, persuading a suspicious public that giving blood was a good thing (!) and traveling far and wide to maintain stocks.
This is his graduation photo, @ucc.ie Class of 1940. He went on to be Director of the Cork Blood Bank, persuading a suspicious public that giving blood was a good thing (!) and traveling far and wide to maintain stocks.
January 5, 2026 at 10:33 PM
My grandad, Dr John A. “Gus” Ryan, was born #onthisday in 1916.
This is his graduation photo, @ucc.ie Class of 1940. He went on to be Director of the Cork Blood Bank, persuading a suspicious public that giving blood was a good thing (!) and traveling far and wide to maintain stocks.
This is his graduation photo, @ucc.ie Class of 1940. He went on to be Director of the Cork Blood Bank, persuading a suspicious public that giving blood was a good thing (!) and traveling far and wide to maintain stocks.
Reposted by Michael Waldron
The Sphinx and the Pyramids of #Giza, photographed by Maxime du Camp in 1849. The chest area of the Sphinx had only recently been uncovered, previously the statue was covered with sand up to the shoulders.
January 5, 2026 at 7:47 AM
The Sphinx and the Pyramids of #Giza, photographed by Maxime du Camp in 1849. The chest area of the Sphinx had only recently been uncovered, previously the statue was covered with sand up to the shoulders.
*91st anniversary 🫣 ‘Tis early days yet in 2026!
January 3, 2026 at 12:59 PM
*91st anniversary 🫣 ‘Tis early days yet in 2026!
Reposted by Michael Waldron
Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with a journalist to discuss the challenges facing plant biodiversity. Seed banking is one tool that we need to prevent extinction, but must be part of wider conservation and restoration action.
www.thejournal.ie/the-man-in-c...
www.thejournal.ie/the-man-in-c...
Noah’s Ark for plants: The man in charge of logging every native seed in Ireland
Conservation ecologist Darren Reidy has been researching, gathering and banking native seeds across Ireland since his appointment in 2022.
www.thejournal.ie
December 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with a journalist to discuss the challenges facing plant biodiversity. Seed banking is one tool that we need to prevent extinction, but must be part of wider conservation and restoration action.
www.thejournal.ie/the-man-in-c...
www.thejournal.ie/the-man-in-c...
It is not the only portrait committed to this canvas though. There are three other women beneath Hazel, including Sarah Bernhardt!
Read about the conservation of this painting, by Giulia Campagnari, from the collection of @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social here: crawfordartgallery.ie/john-lavery-...
Read about the conservation of this painting, by Giulia Campagnari, from the collection of @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social here: crawfordartgallery.ie/john-lavery-...
John Lavery, The Red Rose, 1923 - Crawford Art Gallery
The Red Rose (1923) by John Lavery is among Crawford Art Gallery’s best-loved masterpieces. Signed ‘J. Lavery’ at bottom left, it is one of more than a staggering 400 portraits the artist made of his ...
crawfordartgallery.ie
January 3, 2026 at 11:57 AM
It is not the only portrait committed to this canvas though. There are three other women beneath Hazel, including Sarah Bernhardt!
Read about the conservation of this painting, by Giulia Campagnari, from the collection of @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social here: crawfordartgallery.ie/john-lavery-...
Read about the conservation of this painting, by Giulia Campagnari, from the collection of @crawfordartgallery.bsky.social here: crawfordartgallery.ie/john-lavery-...
Hazel’s wistful expression, gentle brushing of the eponymous rose against her neck, and fingering of the carved sphinx armrest suggest the mysteries she holds within herself.
To me she is akin to Gretta Conroy in Joyce’s “The Dead” or perhaps Yeats’ ‘Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days…’
To me she is akin to Gretta Conroy in Joyce’s “The Dead” or perhaps Yeats’ ‘Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days…’
January 3, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Hazel’s wistful expression, gentle brushing of the eponymous rose against her neck, and fingering of the carved sphinx armrest suggest the mysteries she holds within herself.
To me she is akin to Gretta Conroy in Joyce’s “The Dead” or perhaps Yeats’ ‘Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days…’
To me she is akin to Gretta Conroy in Joyce’s “The Dead” or perhaps Yeats’ ‘Red Rose, proud Rose, sad Rose of all my days…’
Hazel Lavery died #onthisday in 1935.
For her 90th anniversary, let’s take a look at one of her husband’s most celebrated portraits of her.
In his memoir, John Lavery lists this work under the title, The Red Rose – Hazel. Completed in 1923, it is one of more than 400 portraits he made of her.
For her 90th anniversary, let’s take a look at one of her husband’s most celebrated portraits of her.
In his memoir, John Lavery lists this work under the title, The Red Rose – Hazel. Completed in 1923, it is one of more than 400 portraits he made of her.
January 3, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Hazel Lavery died #onthisday in 1935.
For her 90th anniversary, let’s take a look at one of her husband’s most celebrated portraits of her.
In his memoir, John Lavery lists this work under the title, The Red Rose – Hazel. Completed in 1923, it is one of more than 400 portraits he made of her.
For her 90th anniversary, let’s take a look at one of her husband’s most celebrated portraits of her.
In his memoir, John Lavery lists this work under the title, The Red Rose – Hazel. Completed in 1923, it is one of more than 400 portraits he made of her.
Tributes paid to John O'Shea, co-founder of Cork's Everyman Theatre
www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...
www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...
Tributes paid to John O'Shea, co-founder of Cork's Everyman Theatre
Everyman Theatre CEOs said John O'Shea’s 'vision, generosity, and belief in the power of theatre' shaped the former Palace Cinema into a theatre at the heart of Cork’s cultural life
www.irishexaminer.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Tributes paid to John O'Shea, co-founder of Cork's Everyman Theatre
www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...
www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...
Reposted by Michael Waldron
Who were Peggy Airey and Watter Joe?
Read about these portraits of local Barnsley characters 👉 https://artuk.org/discover/stories/who-were-peggy-airey-and-watter-joe-portraits-of-local-barnsley-characters/
📷 @barnsleymuseums.bsky.social
Read about these portraits of local Barnsley characters 👉 https://artuk.org/discover/stories/who-were-peggy-airey-and-watter-joe-portraits-of-local-barnsley-characters/
📷 @barnsleymuseums.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Who were Peggy Airey and Watter Joe?
Read about these portraits of local Barnsley characters 👉 https://artuk.org/discover/stories/who-were-peggy-airey-and-watter-joe-portraits-of-local-barnsley-characters/
📷 @barnsleymuseums.bsky.social
Read about these portraits of local Barnsley characters 👉 https://artuk.org/discover/stories/who-were-peggy-airey-and-watter-joe-portraits-of-local-barnsley-characters/
📷 @barnsleymuseums.bsky.social
More than 60 Henri Matisse artworks donated to Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
More than 60 Henri Matisse artworks donated to Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris
Artist’s daughter Marguerite features in most of the pieces, kept in the family until ‘complete surprise’ donation
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:03 PM
More than 60 Henri Matisse artworks donated to Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Reposted by Michael Waldron
More than a photobook, this is a revolutionary exploration of trans masc identity and intimacy. Read 👉 buff.ly/rIOKAHM #GCNnews
January 2, 2026 at 11:01 AM
More than a photobook, this is a revolutionary exploration of trans masc identity and intimacy. Read 👉 buff.ly/rIOKAHM #GCNnews
Brilliant to see the Arts Council of Northern Ireland supporting artists like John Rainey to advance their practices in new directions.
www.rte.ie/news/ulster/...
www.rte.ie/news/ulster/...
NI sculptor set for specialist residency in Italy
A Northern Ireland sculptor is to travel to Italy to take part in a specialist residency that will combine classical stone carving techniques with new robotic technology.
www.rte.ie
January 1, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Brilliant to see the Arts Council of Northern Ireland supporting artists like John Rainey to advance their practices in new directions.
www.rte.ie/news/ulster/...
www.rte.ie/news/ulster/...
- Artistic Islands at Coach House Galleries, Dublin Castle
- Atsushi Kaga: Just Another Human Experience at The Douglas Hyde
And many more of course, some of which I regrettably missed in the swirl of a busy year! Here’s so another 12 months of curated creative expression…
- Atsushi Kaga: Just Another Human Experience at The Douglas Hyde
And many more of course, some of which I regrettably missed in the swirl of a busy year! Here’s so another 12 months of curated creative expression…
December 31, 2025 at 10:55 PM
- Artistic Islands at Coach House Galleries, Dublin Castle
- Atsushi Kaga: Just Another Human Experience at The Douglas Hyde
And many more of course, some of which I regrettably missed in the swirl of a busy year! Here’s so another 12 months of curated creative expression…
- Atsushi Kaga: Just Another Human Experience at The Douglas Hyde
And many more of course, some of which I regrettably missed in the swirl of a busy year! Here’s so another 12 months of curated creative expression…
- Dysphoric Euphoria: Peter Bradley and Stephen Doyle at Highlanes Gallery
- Samir Mahmood: Symplegmatic Portals at Sirius Arts Centre
- Grá at Uillinn
- Samir Mahmood: Symplegmatic Portals at Sirius Arts Centre
- Grá at Uillinn
December 31, 2025 at 10:38 PM
- Dysphoric Euphoria: Peter Bradley and Stephen Doyle at Highlanes Gallery
- Samir Mahmood: Symplegmatic Portals at Sirius Arts Centre
- Grá at Uillinn
- Samir Mahmood: Symplegmatic Portals at Sirius Arts Centre
- Grá at Uillinn
- Out of the Strong, Came Forth Sweetness at Naughton Institute
- Ernesto Neto’s Nosso Barco Tambor Terra at the Grand Palais
- Céleste Bousier-Mougenot’s Clinamen at the Bourse de Commerce
- Art is in the Street at the Musée d’Orsay
- Ernesto Neto’s Nosso Barco Tambor Terra at the Grand Palais
- Céleste Bousier-Mougenot’s Clinamen at the Bourse de Commerce
- Art is in the Street at the Musée d’Orsay
December 31, 2025 at 10:38 PM
- Out of the Strong, Came Forth Sweetness at Naughton Institute
- Ernesto Neto’s Nosso Barco Tambor Terra at the Grand Palais
- Céleste Bousier-Mougenot’s Clinamen at the Bourse de Commerce
- Art is in the Street at the Musée d’Orsay
- Ernesto Neto’s Nosso Barco Tambor Terra at the Grand Palais
- Céleste Bousier-Mougenot’s Clinamen at the Bourse de Commerce
- Art is in the Street at the Musée d’Orsay
- Hamad Butt: Apprehensions at IMMA
- Siren – Ursula Burke at Butler Gallery
- John Rainey’s Decoys & Ghosts at Golden Thread Gallery
- Stay a While: Stuart Calvin
- Siren – Ursula Burke at Butler Gallery
- John Rainey’s Decoys & Ghosts at Golden Thread Gallery
- Stay a While: Stuart Calvin
December 31, 2025 at 10:38 PM
- Hamad Butt: Apprehensions at IMMA
- Siren – Ursula Burke at Butler Gallery
- John Rainey’s Decoys & Ghosts at Golden Thread Gallery
- Stay a While: Stuart Calvin
- Siren – Ursula Burke at Butler Gallery
- John Rainey’s Decoys & Ghosts at Golden Thread Gallery
- Stay a While: Stuart Calvin
Saw some great art in 2025 and here are some of the great shows:
- Debbie Godsell’s Flail at Uillinn
- Susan Connolly’s Ground [two-unfold] in Waterford Gallery of Art
- At first / I was land at Studio 12, Backwater Artists Studios
- Lady Lazarus by Lara Quinn at Lavit Gallery
- Debbie Godsell’s Flail at Uillinn
- Susan Connolly’s Ground [two-unfold] in Waterford Gallery of Art
- At first / I was land at Studio 12, Backwater Artists Studios
- Lady Lazarus by Lara Quinn at Lavit Gallery
December 31, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Saw some great art in 2025 and here are some of the great shows:
- Debbie Godsell’s Flail at Uillinn
- Susan Connolly’s Ground [two-unfold] in Waterford Gallery of Art
- At first / I was land at Studio 12, Backwater Artists Studios
- Lady Lazarus by Lara Quinn at Lavit Gallery
- Debbie Godsell’s Flail at Uillinn
- Susan Connolly’s Ground [two-unfold] in Waterford Gallery of Art
- At first / I was land at Studio 12, Backwater Artists Studios
- Lady Lazarus by Lara Quinn at Lavit Gallery